1986 Honda Shadow VT500C bobber

[6MinVanguard]

Hey, I love the bike. A guy is selling an 86 Shadow in great condition for like 800 bucks near me. I don't have any experience building/modifying bikes, how hard is it to do what you did here? I assume I could start by just replacing the seat with a bobber seat and then putting in a drag bar. Then the more difficult stuff later. How much did the whole project cost?

[centurion10000000234]

@6MinVanguard I spent $400.00 doing all the mods to this bike. I did eveyrthing myself with hand tools except for the rounded piece connecting the frame rails behind the bobber seat. I had a buddy bend and weld that on for me. Good luck bud.

[mxmlbll]

I want one exactly the same for my first bike !!!!!!!!

[fraudioc]

this is really nice :) unfortunately I've got a VT 600 C that I "boberized" but I've to sell it :(

[centurion10000000234]

@fraudioc Thanks. Maybe you can get another one before long. Good luck.

[Jameshawk105]

Do you have a link to the chopper chair that you bought for this bike? I want it, but in black.

[centurion10000000234]

@Jameshawk105 I don't have a link for it but I bought it off of a seller on ebay. just search for "bobber seat"

[tryne83]

Haha, i got a VT500 of my dad for free too. I was thinking about stripping it down to a bobber. It looks awesome. but mine need som extra work though. I need new forks on it. but then again i could get wide angle forks.. up to 18 degree retail forks for the vt 500. can`t remember the price right now, but it wasn`t too much.

[centurion10000000234]

@tryne83 sounds like a good idea

[ltlsmkys]

that is awsome, I also have a 85 honda shadow that I want to bob. I noticed the rear of the bike has that oversize seat on the back and that the frame is angled up. Did you just do a straight cut of the back frame? Any modifications to the shocks in the back and or you going to put a fender on the back, got any pics or vidieos of your work in more detail? Anything would help to fuel my build, thankyou for the inspiration, you are awesome and creative. just drop me a line on a message

[soggytoast89]

hell yea man u cant beat that

[soggytoast89]

i like it and yet so simple

[centurion10000000234]

@soggytoast89 The best thing is it was cheap too. I got the bike for free and only spent $450 modifying it!

[woodlandcammo27]

Could you not put on Rebel rear shocks to lower the bike?

[centurion10000000234]

@woodlandcammo27 I never thought about that but I guess it's possible.

[woodlandcammo27]

@woodlandcammo27 They make adjustable height springs for bikes. I think the Shadow is included.

[centurion10000000234]

@woodlandcammo27 cool. thanks.

[jaywhoper]

great job ,

looks good

[PSgofuckurself]

oh and about the paint job you did what did you use to paint can or air? and what all did you paint? cause i like it thx

[PSgofuckurself]

yea thats pretty sweet but about the pipes doesent the bike need backpressure or you will burn out the valves?? cause i got a 83 and i want to do almost exact same thing except i wana keep the part you grinded off to make it a 2 seater and i was gona buy new pipes for it but in your vid i noticed you didnt...so i dont know weather if i do what you did i might burnout the valves,,,

[wapa727]

I am going to be getting my uncles 86 shadow next week and i would like to turn it in to a bobber but i am not motorcycle smart. I want to know where did you get the handbars and seat from?

[centurion10000000234]

@wapa727 the handlebars and seat came off of ebay. just search for "superbike handlebars" and "chopper seat". Good luck!

[joopin]

Great job man! I have almost the same bike, 85 VT 500c... I have been looking into making it a bobber. Just curious, no springer seat? I would like to but can't, I'm going to have to make mine a 2 seater.

One thing... did you have to shorten the brake cables and stuff when you changed to the superbike bars?

[centurion10000000234]

@joopin you could just put on the springer seat and then not cut off the frame rails, put a rear fender on and then use a pillion pad on the fender. the cables were a little long but tucked away nicely. good luck. Ride 'em don't hide 'em!

[slr1428]

great job man. a quick question, how did you get the seat off? I have the exact bike and want to do some simalar stuff to mine. The key switch on the left side under the seat will not let me turn it. Is there a different key that goes to this? Thanks!!

[centurion10000000234]

Maybe you have a defective lock. I am pretty sure I just used the one key. If I was gonna bob the the bike, I'd just drill out the lock.

[slr1428]

oh ok, great idea thanks

[sixtimesover]

absolutely sick. well done

[Eweber527]

What size bars did you use? 7/8" or 1"?

[centurion10000000234]

7/8 superbike bars

[lhill17]

Nice bobber!

[centurion10000000234]

I found the grips on ebay. They were apparently from Italy in an old looking package. Just a good luck find I guess. The seat is about 8 by 11. I just ordered a chopper springer seat.

[firefighter378]

Great job! How about the vintage grips? I have an 85 vt700 and i can't find those anywhere in 7/8". Also what size seat did you use?

[centurion10000000234]

Mine didn't have any thing under the passenger part of the seat. It was all under the driver's part. I just placed a black piece of plastic over it and then mounted the solo seat. Good luck.

[Drizztdude21]

Awesome bike man, ive got an '83 750 shadow myself, when you chopped the rear fender off, where did you stash the Ignition boxes under the rear seat?

[lawlzumadz]

just got a hold of an '85 shadow vt500 and was wondering what you used for the handlebars since the stock bars on mine have a bit too much pullback.

appreciate the help!

[centurion10000000234]

Search for superbike handlebars on ebay. I tried drag bars but they hit the tank. Glad to help.

[BlinkExists75]

This is probably the best Shadow bobber i've seen on youtube. I'm modeling my shadow after it.

[centurion10000000234]

Cool. Glad to help.

[ggllnc]

started after 11 years of sitting... sounds just like a honda haha

[ronaldsmusicfactory]

put an ole chrome front fender on the back and it would be badass

[barkulator]

Looks much better.

[metalone1st]

sweet bike!!! what did you do for the seat?

[centurion10000000234]

I used a springer solo seat without the springs and just bolted the front down with a piece of metal running under the gas tank.

[cz2509]

Im doing the same to an 83 Shadow - Your video makes it look pretty easy

Nice bike

[centurion10000000234]

Thanks. It was too easy.